United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

Ronald P Haff

Eric S Jackson

Robert M Hnasko

Thomas C Pearson

Susan Uramoto

The biosensor platform is a rapid point-of-care (POC) device wherein detection of a target substance is performed in a single step using a fully integrated disposable biosensor test system. In one embodiment, the system comprises a horizontally oriented multi-strip test cassette. A user initiates the test by depositing an analyte onto an immunochromatographic test strip sandwiched between a (top) cassette lid and a (bottom) slotted cassette tray. The test strip is held in place by at least one horizontally extending self-adjusting flex plate. The system is structured so that as the analyte flows through the test strip, the analyte reacts with a reagent in the test strip to indicate a presence or absence of the targeted substance as the test strip is held in place by the self-adjusting flex plate.

Biosensor platform for rapid diagnostic testing

Packages of insects are attached to a carrier cylinder and the cylinder is rotated in a radiation field so that the packaged insects are sterilized. The radiation field is created by a plurality of x-ray tubes mounted above the carrier cylinder. The tubes (and their respective radiation sources) are positioned so that a consistent radiation dosage is delivered at the surface of the cylinder&#x2014;thereby imparting both a precise and uniform dose of radiation to the insect packages affixed to the surface of the cylinder.

X-ray insect irradiator

The bio sensor platform is a rapid point-of-care (POC) device wherein detection of a target analyte from a liquid or solid substrate is performed in a single step using a fully integrated disposable test system that includes a test strip immunoassay. In operation, a user initiates the test by rupturing the bottom of a liquid-filled analyte capsule seated in a capsule sleeve. A small volume of liquid flows by capillary action from the capsule sleeve and through a restrictor port to a test strip chamber where contact with the absorptive sample pad of the test strip (among other things) moves liquid by capillary action upwardly through the test strip. The detection of the target analyte is resolved by the test strip reagents and the test results are obtained at a test result window where a portion of the test strip is exposed to the user.

An apparatus and method for sterile insect technique comprising a plurality of x-ray sources surrounding a container containing insects targeted for reproductive sterilization, wherein the container is at an optimized distance from the x-ray sources, moves at a fixed rate along a direction perpendicular to a plane intersecting the x-ray sources, and rotates about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said x-ray sources.

X-ray irradiation system for sterilization of insects

The present invention relates to an x-ray detector configured to generate one-dimensional x-ray density profiles. In exemplary embodiments the x-ray detector is used for the purpose of detecting inclusions in agricultural commodities.

One dimensional linescan X-ray detector

A technique to correct deficiencies in x-ray images of cylindrical or spherical objects that are a consequence of the geometry of the sample is disclosed, for both normal imaging of stationary objects with film or digital detectors and linescan imaging of moving objects. The methods described involve the use of attenuators specifically shaped to equalize the x-ray absorption across the sample, thus correcting the variation in pixel intensity caused by the varying thickness of the sample.

Correction of x-ray images

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automated sorting of objects comprising a population, and for methods of sorting using same.

Sorting of agricultural process streams

An apparatus and method for the non-destructive detection of pits and pit fragments found in dried fruit has been developed. It utilizes a force transducer and a signal processor to determine whether or not pit or pit fragments are present in a fruit specimen, and is able to automatically separate specimens testing positive from the product stream.

Growing community of inventors

Davis, CA, United States of America

Ronald P Haff